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RI hospital ship's Gaza mission: A port too far?
Jakarta's plan to deploy an Indonesian Navy hospital ship on a humanitarian mission to help Palestinians in Gaza marks a shift in the government's approach to the conflict and by extension, its broader geopolitical positioning.
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Stand ready: Indonesian Navy ship KRI dr Radjiman Wedyodiningrat-992 anchors on Nov. 30, 2023 at the Military Sealift Command in North Jakarta. The hospital ship has been prepared for a humanitarian mission to Palestine. (Kompas.com/Nirmala Maulana A)
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efense Minister Prabowo Subianto announced on Dec. 1 a postponement of the government’s plan to deploy the Indonesian Navy’s hospital ship, KRI Radjiman Wedyodinigrat-992, to help victims of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
Prabowo explained that the closest Egyptian harbor to Gaza was overcrowded with humanitarian ships, limiting docking space for one of the Navy’s largest vessels in the coming weeks.
Regardless of the delay, the Indonesian government remains committed to supporting the Palestinian people by delivering humanitarian aid.
In addition, Israel’s military strikes in Gaza have resumed after a temporary cease-fire brokered by Qatar, resulting in more civilian casualties and global condemnation, especially from the United Nations. However, there is a reluctance among countries to intervene on behalf of humanity, with the powerful United States military standing by in the region to protect Israel, a crucial Middle Eastern ally.
In contrast, Indonesia has consistently expressed its solidarity with the Palestinian cause, though it has faced frequent criticism for not taking concrete and decisive action. Indonesia has steadfastly opposed the establishment of an Israeli state on Palestinian land since it declared independence in 1945.
Under different presidencies from Sukarno to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesia has employed various methods to counter Israel's claims over Palestine, with a focus on diplomatic pressure. However, due to the considerable distance between Indonesia and Palestine, the Indonesian government and people have been powerless to "defend" the Palestine people from Israel’s continued attacks.
Yet, the status quo changed dramatically when Prabowo negotiated with the Egyptian government, presenting President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s interest in deploying a Navy hospital ship to the country. This shift in Indonesia’s approach toward a more direct and active engagement in the Palestine-Israel conflict highlights something that has been missing for a long time.
